Newcastle United vs. Arsenal

Saturday’s lunchtime opener on Tyneside sees winless Newcastle looking to upset an Arsenal outfit which needs to get its arse into gear if it plans to challenge for honours come May.

The Magpies haven’t been quite as awful thus far as one might have expected, having picked up handy draws against Southampton and Manchester United either side of a 2-0 loss to Swansea City.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are left with one win from three outings after being held goalless in a fascinating end-to-end struggle with Liverpool on Monday night.

Centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny both missed that fixture, and they are still in doubt for the trip to the North East.

Both Calum Chambers and Gabriel were a little nervy at times against the Reds, so the question is whether the two youngsters can keep their heads in the hostile climes of St. James’ Park if called upon once more.

Gooners fans will also have nightmares about a repeat of their trip to Newcastle in 2011, where the visitors led 4-0 at half time before the hosts snatched an improbable point with four unanswered goals in the second half.

Nevertheless, it would be foolish to write off Arsene Wenger’s men on the basis of a four-year-old hiccough, and they should do the job against a Toon side which will probably be fighting for survival come season’s end.

Our top picks:
– Arsenal to lead at half time ($2.25 at William Hill)
– Alexis Sanchez to score first goal ($6 at Sportsbet)

Liverpool vs. West Ham United

Liverpool are sitting pretty in third place, but not without a hefty slice of good fortune.
Bournemouth and Arsenal were both robbed of clear-cut goals against the Reds, while Christian Benteke’s winner against the Cherries came courtesy of a very lenient linesman.

Still, the ledger reads two wins and a draw for Brendan Rodgers and his charges, and it might have been even better but for a succession of world-class saves from Gunners ‘keeper Petr Cech on Monday night.

The likes of Benteke and Philippe Coutinho are looking sharper every week, while new boys Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez and Roberto Firmino have shown plenty of quality already.

The absence of Jordan Henderson’s aggression and leadership was felt at times during the draw at the Emirates, however, and the Liverpool captain – along with attacking midfielder Adam Lallana – remains in doubt for West Ham’s visit on Saturday.

The Hammers have come crashing back to earth after their shock 2-0 win at Arsenal in the opening round, suffering back-to-back home defeats against Leicester City (2-1) and newly promoted Bournemouth (4-3).

The Reds must remain wary, however, as Slaven Bilic’s men showed against the Gunners that they can be lethal on the break when given the opportunity.